The articles shown in the vintage suitcase tell of the hardship and loneliness of the person who once owned them. The possessions include a building permit – perhaps an attempt to set up a home in NZ. Picture books of Chinese Classics and a well- used Chinese dictionary gave some comfort from homesickness.

Father and Son

There is a similarity in the portraits – son and father or father and son. Born in different centuries and different countries, the father was orphaned in China in the Ching dynasty at 13 years of age. He was a pioneer of his time, coming to seek his fortune in NZ. The son was born in NZ under a democratic Labour Government and did not suffer or endure the hardship and persecutions his father had to tolerate.

John KUM

2013

John KUM

Like many other overseas Chinese, John KUM’s [吳和章] father NG Wah Kum [吳華錦] might have wished to return home for retirement. Not many had made it though. Wasn’t it a regret?

Seeing his business documents (accounts in Chinese, building permit and legal documents, receipts, etc.) and his private items (comic books, a dictionary for writing Chinese letter and exercise book), NG had lived a prosperous life, succeeded in his career and also enjoyed his leisure time. Wasn’t he alone? And where is home for the sojourner?